NEWS
Combining strengths
ASSA ABLOY takes Sika acquires Romanian market leader in waterproofing systems over UK door sealing S specialist Lorient
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SSA ABLOY has announced its acquisition of Lorient, a leading UK-based designer and manufacturer of high performance door sealing systems with half of sales exported outside of the UK and EU. “I am very pleased to welcome Lorient and their employees into the ASSA ABLOY Group. This acquisition delivers on our strategy to strengthen our position in the mature markets through adding complementary products and solutions to our core business,” says Nico Delvaux, President and CEO of ASSA ABLOY. “Lorient is a very attractive addition to the EMEA division thanks to its strong position in the UK fire protection market. It allows us to offer a comprehensive door sealing portfolio alongside innovative drop-down seals and finger protection solutions from Planet GDZ, which we acquired earlier this year in Switzerland,” says Neil Vann, Executive Vice-President of ASSA ABLOY and head of the EMEA division. Lorient was established in 1979 and has around 135 employees. The head office is located in Newton Abbot, Devon, UK. Visit: www.assaabloy.com
E.ON and Clever form JV for ultra-fast electric car charging
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-mobility Service Provider Clever and E.ON have announced a joint venture for building and operating ultra-fast chargers along the freeways throughout Scandinavia. ‘Ultra-Fast Charging Venture Scandinavia’ will aim to connect cities in Denmark, Norway and Sweden with a total of 48 ultra-fast charging sites.
20 Industry Europe
ika has agreed to acquire Arcon Membrane Srl, a leading manufacturer of roofing and waterproofing systems in Romania. Through the acquisition, Sika will significantly strengthen its position in the Romanian market and extend its product portfolio to meet the increasing demand for complete solutions in the roofing and waterproofing markets. The acquired business generates annual sales of CHF 23 million. Arcon is based in Sfântu-Gheorghe, 200km north of Bucharest. In its fully automated manufacturing facility it produces technologically advanced bituminous membranes, with the potential to also serve other South East European markets. Furthermore, Arcon’s product portfolio also includes thermal insulation systems for facades and roofs, combining EPS (expanded polystyrene) sheets and bituminous membranes.
Ivo Schädler, regional manager EMEA: “Arcon’s market leading position, comprehensive product portfolio, and established distribution network will support our growth strategy by opening up new cross-selling opportunities, as well as increasing our market access and the penetration of key projects. We would like to welcome the Arcon employees to our Sika team and look forward to growing our business together.” Visit: www.sika.com
Smurfit Kappa increases presence in France with new acquisition
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murfit Kappa Group has expanded its product range in France with the acquisition of Papcart, a specialist in offset printing and conversion of cardboard and corrugated board consumer packaging, The strategic acquisition enables Smurfit Kappa to extend its portfolio with a comprehensive range for the luxury goods, wines & spirits, FMCG and bag-in-box markets. This will build on the group’s already strong presence in the consumer packaging segments and corrugated board solutions for perfume and food. Established over 70 years ago, Papcart is equipped with the latest generation of offset printers, die-cutters, folder-gluers and finishing equipment and offers the widest spectrum of finishes required for gift and premium packaging by combining acrylic or UV inks, specific varnishes,
hot and cold foil gilding, embossing and lamination to meet even the most complex customer needs. Jean-Christophe Bugeon, CEO of Smurfit Kappa France added: “We are delighted to welcome the Papcart employees into the company. More and more companies are seeking more sustainable packaging alternatives and we can add an even wider choice of premium solutions to our offering.” Visit: www.smurfitkappa.com
The joint venture is fulfilling a promise to the European Commission’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme to build 28 cofinanced sites in Denmark and Sweden. It will be a charge point operator, where the partners will provide more ultra-fast charging stations and better customer experience for drivers of EVs across borders. In 2020 all 48 sites are planned to be operational. E-mobility custom-
ers of Clever, E.ON and third party operators will get access to the charging stations. The two operators – Clever and E.ON Drive – will remain competitors in other service categories. E.ON Drive Infrastructure will furthermore deploy ultra-fast charging sites in Germany, UK, France and Italy as part of the EU CEF programme. Visit: www.eonenergy.com
